DDPHE Blog: What Denverites Need to Know About Hantavirus

DDPHE Blog: What Denverites Need to Know About Hantavirus

Published on May 20, 2026

Recent news about a hantavirus outbreak affecting American travelers has raised questions and concerns across the country. While the situation may sound alarming, DDPHE experts say the risk to people in Denver remains very low. Here's what you should know.

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses spread mainly through contact with infected rodents. People can become sick after breathing in particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially in enclosed spaces where rodents have been present.

Different types of hantaviruses exist around the world. In Colorado and other parts of the western United States, deer mice are the most common carriers of local hantaviruses.

The recent outbreak linked to travelers aboard the MV Hondius, and expedition cruise ship, involves the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus found in parts of South America.

Is the Andes strain of Hantavirus in Colorado?

No. Rodents in the United States do not carry the Andes virus.

What about the recent hantavirus death in Colorado?

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Douglas County Health Department are investigating a confirmed case of hantavirus in a Douglas County adult that has resulted in death. This case is not linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.

Though infrequent, hantavirus infections caused by Sin Nombre virus occur in Colorado, usually in the spring and summer, and can cause a severe and sometimes deadly respiratory disease. In Colorado, the deer mouse is the rodent species that most commonly exposes people to the virus. Avoiding exposure to rodents and their urine, feces, saliva, and nesting materials is the best way to prevent infection.

What makes the Andes virus unique?

Most hantaviruses do not spread from person to person. The Andes virus is unusual because it can spread between people, but only through close and prolonged contact with someone who is already showing symptoms. Health experts say this type of spread is rare, and there is no expectation of casual community spread in the U.S.

What's happening with the current Andes virus outbreak?

At this time, there have been ten total cases linked to the outbreak - eight confirmed and two suspected, from seven countries.

For those passengers from the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked with affected travelers returning from the MV Hondius. Eighteen passengers returned to the U.S. on a chartered flight for containment, monitoring and medical evaluation. Some travelers are completing their monitoring period at home, while others are staying at specialized facilities. Anyone who develops symptoms is being cared for in biocontainment units equipped for infectious diseases.

At this time, none of these passengers are being monitored in Colorado and Denver's public health department has not been notified of any Denver residents exposed to this outbreak.

Should Denver residents cancel upcoming travel?

There is no need to change travel plans or take special precautions related to this outbreak. The overall risk to the general public remains extremely low.

How can people protect themselves from hantavirus in general?

Even though the current outbreak risk is low, it's always a good idea to avoid contact with rodents and clean rodent areas safely.

Here are a few simple tips:

• Seal holes or gaps where rodents can enter homes or garages
• Store food in sealed containers
• Avoid sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings, which can stir particles into the air
• Wear gloves and use disinfectant when cleaning areas with rodent activity
• Air out enclosed spaces, like sheds or cabins, before cleaning

More tips for safe cleaning practices are available online.

Learn more

information about hantavirus, symptoms, and prevention is available on the official CDC website: CDC hantavirus information

• Public Health & Environment